JUNE 2002 2/22 TO BHMA Greek Australian VEMA What’s new - N.S.W. Historic visit by Greek President The President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr the two countries’ excellent bilateral relations Archbishop of Australia, Stylianos and historic, Etruscan and Roman objects. Constantinos Stephanopoulos, was in and the prospects presenting themselves on attended an official welcome service. It must There he spoke at a reception attended by Australia for an official visit early this month, development once more, as is appropriate be mentioned that at the grounds of the political, religious and academic leaders as and was warmly welcomed by the Greek between two republics connected with the Archdiocese the President received a very well as many members of the Greek commu- communities of Melbourne, Canberra and holiest of ties, those of blood, as well as a thriv- warm welcome from hundreds of students nity of Australia. Sydney. ing Greek community, contributing to the from the three Greek Orthodox Colleges of On the same night, the President attended a consolidation of a bridge of friendship Sydney, and a large number of people that State Dinner hosted by the Honourable Bob In Melbourne between their birthplace and their new gathered there to welcome him. Carr, MP, Premier of NSW and Mrs Helena home. His Eminence welcomed the President with Carr, at the Four Seasons Hotel ballroom. Greek President Constantinos Stephano- On Saturday morning, Mr Stephanopoulos poulos referred to issues of national impor- opened the new wing at St Basil’s Retirement tance, Greece’s position in the Balkans and Homes in Lakemba, and later he visited and the united Europe speaking before represen- toured the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games site tatives of the Greek-Australian community at Homebush Bay. in Melbourne. On Saturday night the Overseas Passenger The President made a special reference to the Terminal, where many decades ago thou- issues of national importance with an empha- sands of Greeks saw the land that was to sis on the Greek-Turkish relations and become their second home for the first time stressed that Greece proposes to the interna- in despair, was where the General Consulate tional community the only fair way to solve of Sydney organised the open reception for the existing differences, namely, the the Greek Australian community in honor of International Court, knowing that the right the Greek President . is on its side. In his opening speech, Premier of New South He also referred to the improvement of Wales Bob Carr, as all Australian officials Greece’s relations with FYROM. with whom Mr. Stephanopoulos met, Addressing the thousands of Greek- expressed his appreciation for the special role Australians, who gathered to welcome him, of the Greek community in the multicultural he stressed that everybody in Greece is proud Australian society, the country in which of them, referring to them as the most pre- Greeks proved themselves as worthy citizens, cious part of Greece. He urged young Greek- while still retaining their cultural identity. He Australians to learn the Greek language, that also spoke of the excellent relations between connects the past with the future, and The Greek President was warmly welcomed by His Eminence, Archbishop Stylianos, at the the two countries and the possibility of referred to the difficulties faced by the Greeks Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia in Redfern, where thousands of students and people improving and broadening them. of the Diaspora in their effort to preserve greeted Mr Stephanopoulos The President of the Greek Republic began their national identity. his speech by thanking Premier Bob Carr, The President was received with great hon- Mr. Howard repeated that Australia owes a a very warm speech at the Cathedral and in the leader of the Opposition and all the rep- ors in the Victorian Parliament, where he lot to Greece and showed his pride for the his reply, Mr. Stephanopoulos praised the resentatives of Australian authorities for spoke at a joint session of the two supreme third largest city in the world in Greek speak- Archbishop of Australia for his achievements their hospitality and care for the Greeks of bodies, the state Parliament and the Victoria ing people, Melbourne, while he did not in the friendly country of Australia. Australia. Senate, something that has never happened neglect to wish the 2004 Olympics a great The President’s visit to the Greek Orthodox Mr. Stephanopoulos proceeded to praise the before in the history of the state. An honor success, and the further tightening of rela- Archdiocese in Redfern was completed with Archbishop of Australia, “a man who is some- that had so far only been bestowed to the tions with their friend, Greece. an official luncheon held by His Eminence, thing more than ours”, as he said, because he Queen of England. In his reply, the Greek President pointed out and attended by a large number of members had the good fortune of meeting him in the Mr. Stephanopoulos was welcomed by the the gratitude of the Greeks, “who will never of the Clergy and members of the Greek com- past. He then thanked all the Greeks of President of the Parliament, Alekos forget that during a difficult time for Greece, munity of Australia. Australia from the depths of his heart, saying Adrianopoulos, and was addressed by the Australia accepted a significant number of From the Archdiocese the President went to that what we owe these fine and beloved Premier of Victoria, Mr. Steve Bracks and the immigrants, which are vigorous part of your the Government House where he had a Greeks, cannot be expressed with words. leaders of the Opposition. The common point local community today, while many of them meeting with Her Excellency Professor On the final day of his official visit to of reference of the three politicians was the hold distinguished positions in public life, a Marie Bashir, AC, the Governor of NSW and Australia, the Greek President of the Greek community, as well as the struggle for fact that makes all Greeks proud”. Sir Nicholas Shehadie, AC OBE. Republic visited the Olympic facilities in the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Finally, he expressed his certainty that Mr. Later Mr Stephanopoulos attended the sec- Sydney, and went for a cruise , organized in Greece, a struggle in which all Australian par- Howard’s upcoming official visit to Greece, ond Greek-Australian Business Forum at the his honor by the Greek deputy Chief of Police, ties and governments are participating. They will give the Australian Prime Minister the Four Seasons Hotel. His next function was at M. Costa. In the afternoon he visited one of also expressed their hopes for the 2004 opportunity to have useful and constructive the Sydney University where he inspected the cities museums. Olympics to be successful. contacts to the benefit of both countries. the world famous Nicholson Museum which The next morning Mr. Stephanopoulos In his speech Mr Stephanopoulos conveyed The rest of the day was full of emotion for the contains numerous archaelogical treasures departed for New Zealand, where he stayed the brotherly feelings of the Greek people and President and his official entourage: The plac- from Greece and Egypt as well as some pre- until June 11. the debt we owe to the Australians who have ing of a wreath at the monument of the lost their lives during the war, when they Australian Unknown Soldier was immedi- fought alongside the Greeks. ately followed by that at the Greek- It must also be noted that the highest medal Australian monument of the fallen at the bat- of La Trobe University was presented to the tle of Crete in 1941, with Greek-Australian Greek President by the Dean of La Trobe, veterans were present. 6-12 Fairchild Unit 12-13, hellenist and inscription expert of the Ancient In the evening the President of the Republic Street, 4Á Foundry Road, Athena Agora, member of many academies was present at the large open reception at the across Europe and Asia, Mr. Michael Ambassador’s Estate in Canberra. The offi- MOORABBIN SEVEN HILLS Osbourne. cial program of the President’s visit to VIC 3189 NSW 2147 The President’s visit in Victoria ended with a Canberra was completed with a dinner held Ôçë: (03) 9551 3900 Ôçë: (02) 9674 9755 reception of Premier Steve Bracks, which by Governor General of Australia, Mr. was held in the Melbourne Parliament. Hollingworth. Öáî: (03) 9552 8888 Öáî: (02) 9674 9844 In Canberra In Sydney ÊÁÔÁÓÊÅÕÁÓÔÅÓ ÊÁÉ ÅÉÓÁÃÙÃÅÉÓ Distinguished members from Australia’s On June 7 Mr. Stephanopoulos arrived in entire political spectrum and the Greek com- Sydney and in the morning he visited the munity, were present at the reception held NSW Parliament where he attended the Ðñïìçèåýïõìå êïõæéíÜäåò, for President of the Republic, by Prime Legislative Assembly. The President deliv- Minister of Australia John Howard in ered his greetings and was introduced to ìáñáãêïýò, êáôáóêåõáóôÝò åðßðëùí Canberra. Government and Opposition members. With their speeches, President Stephano- At midday he arrived at the Greek Orthodox ìå ü,ôé õëéêÜ ÷ñåéÜæïíôáé poulos and Prime Minister Howard marked Archdiocese where he was met by the 117125 JUNE 2002 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 3/23 Editorial President Stephanopoulos - leading by example This editorial was going to be about the recent visit of the Dalai Lama to Australia. The of whom were businessmen and women who sought to increase trade between Greece media coverage was huge: an appearance at the National Press Club in Canberra, capac- and Australia, Mr Stephanopoulos had meetings with the Governor General and Prime ity crowds at several speaking venues, full page colour advertisements in newspapers..